(Church of England)
Close House, St George's Close,
Jesmond, Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
NE2 2TF, UK
0191 281 2556 / fax 0191 284 6933
[email protected]
RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN PAPUA
To
The president of the Republic of Indonesia
Megawati Soekarnoputri
Merdeka Palace
Jakarta
About : National Inquiry Team
Enclosed : Press release of the religious leaders
In regard with the decision taken by the central government to include the Indonesian Military and Police in the National Inquiry Team to investigate the case of Theys Hiyo Eluay as announced to the public by the minister of political and security affairs, Bambang Yudhoyono, we would like to express our opinion to the President:
1. We declare our deep dissatisfaction on the decision of the central government to include the Indonesian military and police in the national inquiry team. This position demonstrates that the central government is not ready to openly listen to the complain of its citizens, particularly of those who live in Papua, expecting to reveal the fact of the case of Theys Hiyo Eluay, justly, transparently, independently, without including the elements of the Indonesian military and police.
2. We insist to maintain our opinion as been expressed in the press release, 22nd January, 2002, that the National Inquiry Team established on the basis of the presidential degree should have a strong legal base from the President as the Chief of the Government and the members of the team should be those who are independent, professional, and credible before the people. This is not only the willingness of the religious leaders and extended society in Papua, but also of the governor of Papua Province, the Chief of the police in Papua, the provincial legislative council, local scholars, humanitarian workers, and all parties hoping that the justice is to be upheld in Indonesia, especially in the land of Papua.
3. We, until today, are not able to comprehend why the establishment of the national inquiry team is never made transparent to the eyes of the society of Papua or ask people�s opinion openly and honestly to the society of Papua. We have a strong impression that the central government establishes the team from above without giving room to accommodate the voices of extended society in Papua as commonly practiced in the democratic mechanism.
4. Finally we hope the President Megawati would be ready to open heart and mind to comprehend the will of the society of Papua, generally of the society of Indonesia, so that the national inquiry team doest not repeat the same fake as occurred in the past.
These are our opinions and suggestions. We hope that the President Megawati would be ready to hear the voice of your people who have been yearning for justice and peace.
Jayapura, 2nd February 2002
On behalf of the religious leaders in Papua
Mgr. Leo Laba Ladjar OFM
The bishop of Jayapura
CC.:
1. The Chairman of the Evangelical Christian Church in the land of Papua
2. The Chairman of the Indonesian Christian Church in Papua
3. The Synod of the Indonesian Protestant Church in Papua
4. The general secretary of the fellowship of the Baptist Churches in Irian Jaya
5. All the bishops in Papua
6. The Chairman of Indonesian Muslim Council branch Papua
7. Nahdatul Ulama in Papua
8. The Chairman of Muhammadiyah in Papua
9. The Governor of Papua
10. The chief of police in Irian Jaya
11. The commander of Indonesian Military XVII/ Trikora
12. The chairman of the provincial legislative council
13. The members of the house of representative representing the province of
Papua
14. The Papuan Presidium Council
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